Four Hauser students injured in crash near school

Four Hauser students were injured in a traffic accident in front of the school this afternoon, with one being flown by helicopter ambulance to IU Methodist Hospital.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department reports that 17-year-old Sarah Vanderlind was driving a car from the school at about noon today, crossing State Road 9 when when she drove into the path of a pickup pulling a trailer.

She and her three passengers had to be cut from the wreckage of the car by firefighters. 17-year-old Erin Newcomb was flown by Lifeline Helicopter to Indianapolis. Vanderlind and two other passengers were taken to Columbus Regional Hospital including 16-year-old Veronica McKinney and 17-year-old John Bragg, both of Hope.

The condition of the teens are not available at this time. All four were students at Hauser and at the C4 program at Columbus North High School.

The driver of the truck, 26-year-old Jonathan Tappe of Taylorsville, was not injured.

Hope Police Chief Matt Tallent was first on the scene and called for Lifeline and multiple ambulances, according to the sheriff's department.

Indiana State Police had Chaplains available to speak with students at the school.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with these students, Hauser High School and all of Hope,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers.

Agencies assisting at the scene of the crash included Columbus Fire Department Rescue Squad 2, Hope Fire Department, Columbus Regional Hospital paramedics and Hope Fire Department.